It probably would've been considered an upset a few months ago -- and maybe a few days ago -- if one had learned it was Ole Miss -- and not Mississippi State -- which won the services of Rivals250 defensive back Cortez Thomas.

However, on Wednesday, it was indeed Ole Miss -- and not the in-state rival Bulldogs -- which landed the verbal commitment from the four star from Lexington (Holmes County Central), Miss.

Thomas, a 6-foo6-2, 175-pound cornerback, made the decision official on social media late Friday morning. Thomas had offers from multiple Southeastern Conference schools, including Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Kentucky and Texas A&M.

"He is a rally long rangy cornerback prospect with the position versatility and the frame and skill set to also lineup back deep at safety," Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman said. "He's about 6-foot-1 with a broad frame. During live evaluations this spring, he has been superb playing cornerback on the perimeter. On tape he shows a willingness to tackle.

"From recruiting standpoint, Mississippi State has been a long time favorite under the previous staff and Ole Miss started to chip away at that after Jeff Lebby arrived at Mississippi State. It's a massive victory for Ole Miss, beating out the in-state rival who had momentum at one point in this recruitment and closing for one of the best defensive back prospects in the state of Mississippi."

Thomas is Ole Miss' 11th commitment for the 2025 signing class.